Cartridge pack for trash compaction machine

ABSTRACT

A cartridge comprising a compressed plastic tube for mounting on the tapered end of a hollow cylindrical member into which solid waste or refuse is rammed so that the tube can subsequently be tied and cut into relatively small units containing slugs of compacted refuse. The plastic tube comprises external folds generally about 20 in. in length which extend in the same direction, alternate ones of the folds being separably secured intact or in their folded condition by heat sealing or adhesive means so that after a length of tube, such for example as 33 ft., is filled with compacted refuse, the heat sealing or adhesive means of the alternate folds can be readily pulled open and the thus unfolded folds tied and severed between the ties to form smaller plastic containers of compacted refuse.

o 5 United States Patent [1 1 i 3,815,649 Delmar 51*June' 11, 1974 [5 CARTRIDGE PACK FOR TRASH 2,847,805 8/1958 Robbins 53/24 COMPACTION MACHINE 3,047,144 7/1962 Wissel 3,521,675 7/1970 Dussich...

[75] Inventor: John Kennet Del r, a e o n 3,650,298 3/1972 De1mar..-. 206/56 AB x 73 A 1 C taLX C D b P Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price 1 Sslgnee rys orpora ar y a Attorney, Agent, or FirmMax R. Millman, Esq. Notice: The portlon of the term of this patent subsequent to Mar. 21, 1989, [57] ABSTRACT has been dlsclalmed' A cartridge comprising a compressed plastic tube for Filed: Jan. 17, 1972 mounting on the tapered end of a hollow cylindrical [2]] AppL No: 218 349 member into which solid waste or refuse is rammed so Related US. Application Data that the tube can subsequently be tied and cut into relatively small units containing slugs of compacted re- [63] cominumiomimpan of s 61,693, Aug 6, fuse. The plastic tube comprises external folds gener- 1970, Pat. No. 3,650,298. ally about 20 in. in length which extend in the same direction, alternate ones of the folds being separably [52] US. Cl 150/1, 53/24, 138/ 103, secured intact or in their folded condition by heat 2061 83,; 229/53 sealing or adhesive means so that after a length of [51] Int. Cl B65d I00 tube, such for example as 33 ft., is filled with com- [58] Field of Search 150/ 1, .5; 99/ 176; 53/24; pacted refuse, the heat sealing or adhesive means of 206/46 R, 56 AB; 229/53; 138/103 the alternate folds can be readily pulled open and the thus unfolded folds tied and severed between the ties [56] References Cited to form smaller plastic containers of compacted re- UNITED STATES PATENTS fuse- 2,134,636 10/1938 Lewis et a1 206/46 R X 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures [Z /fl /m 4 /6 M $28 J PATENTEDJUN m 333151549 SHEEI 10F 2 PATENTEDJUNI 1 mm 18151649 SHEET 20F 2 CARTRIDGE PACK FOR TRASH COMPACTION MACHINE This invention relates to trash compaction and more specifically to a plastic tubular member into which the compacted trash is packed for subsequent subdivision and disposal in units of predetermined smaller size and is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 61,693 filed Aug. .6, 1970 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,298.

There are presently in use a number of different machines which operate on the principle of feeding refuse or solid waste from a hopper into a tube whose delivery end is tapered and forcing the refuse preferably by hydraulic rams through the delivery end where it is compressed or compacted as slugs into containers. In one such machine an extendable plastic tube is mounted on the delivery end of the compactor tube into which the slugs are forced and then the tube is severed and tied into predetermined lengths for disposal.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a plastic tube for mounting on the end of a refuse compactor tube having spaced portions which are not extendable during compaction but are manually or mechanically extendable thereafter so that the areas are made readily available for efficient severing and tieing of the tube into units of desired length.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plastic tube of the character described in which the spaced areas which are not extendable during compaction are provided with separable means for readily and easily extending said areas manually or mechanically by the use of a relatively low pulling force which acts to rupture said separable means but minimize rupture of the plastic tube at said areas.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plastic tube for mounting upon the end of a refuse compaction tube having spaced folded portions in which the folds are retained as such by heat sealing means which are readily separable by the exertion of a pulling force which does not rupture the body of the plastic tube and makes available areas which can be readily tied and severed to provide plastic containers of predetermined size filled with compacted refuse slugs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plastic tube for mounting upon the end of a refuse compaction tube having spaced folded portions which are separably joined and a weakened area in each folded portion so that when the folded portions are unfolded by the exertion of a pulling force thereon, the unfolded area can be tied on opposite sides of the weakened area and the latter severed to close off the adjacent plastic containers having the compacted refuse therein.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a refuse compaction machine with the plastic tube of the instant invention shown mounted thereon and partly filled;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the plastic tube completely filled with compacted refuse, partly broken away and partly in section;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the area shown as numeral 3 on FIG. 2; 1

- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2;

the plastic tube showing a modified form of the invention;

'FIG. 9 is an elevation of a portion of the plastic tube and similar to FIG. 5 as applied to the modification of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of another modification of the invention, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Specific reference is now made to the drawings in which similar reference characters are used for corresponding elements throughout.

Indicated at 10 and shown in generalized diagrammatic form is a solid waste or refuse compaction machine comprising a hopper into which the refuse is fed, a tube or cylindrical member 14 communicative'therewith,'a compaction ram 16 slidable therein to push the refuse through the delivery end 18 thereof which is inwardly tapered (not shown) to provide the compaction. While a horizontal compaction tube is shown, it will be understood that the same may also be vertically disposed. The ram is preferably hydraulically operated by controls (not shown) which may synchronize the ram operation and the supply of refuse in the hopper.

The plastic tube of the instant invention is shown at 20 which in the form of overlapped folds 22 .forms a 1 cartridge unit of relatively short over-all length. The

cartridge is slipped over the tapered delivery end 18 of the compaction tube. The outer end of the plastic tube 20 is tied as by a wire as at 24 whereas the inner end 26 is removably held on the compaction tube 14 by suitable means, such'as pivoted spring fingers 28. As the solid waste or refuse is compacted at the tapered end 18 of the tube 14 and pushed into the plastic tube 20, the latter will extend to its full length, there being a suitable support, such as a conveyor 30 or rollers to support the outer end portion of the plastic tube.

After the plastic tube is filled with compacted slugs of waste or refuse, which can varyin length and is generally about 12-15 ft. long when extended with the secured folds intact and about 18 inches in diameter, it becomes necessary to cut and tie the tube into predetermined lengths, such as about 20 in. v

To the end that the plastic tube 20 can be readily and easily severed and tied at the desired lengths with minimal possibility of injury to the filled tube, the tube is constructed with folds or tucks which can be unfolded manually or mechanically with relatively small pulling force after the compacted slugs of waste or refuse have filled the tube. 1

Coming now to the'form of the invention shown in FIGS. 2-6, the tube 20 which is made of a suitable plastic and may be of any desired cross-section but preferably circular, is provided at spaced'intervals, say 2 ft. apart, with external folds or tucks 32 extending in the same direction from the outer end 24 to the end 26 which is mounted on the compaction tube 14. Each fold is formed by tucking the main body portion of one section 34 under the main body portion of the adjacent section 36 to provide a fold having two circumferentially extending portions 38 and 40 joined by a web 42.

' the portions 38 and 40 of alternate folds or every other fold are heat sealed as at 44 at circumferentially spaced points, there being preferably six such seals, each three-eighths by one-sixteenth inch, about 60 apart,

although four seals about 90 apart may also be em- I ployedQWhile the overall length of the fold 32 may vary, a length of about 20 in. is preferred, each fold portion 38 and 40 being, therefore, about in. long.

When the entire length of the plastic tube is compressed, preferably by folding one portion over the next, it occupies a'relatively small length generally about 12 in. and becomes a cartridge which is readily slipped onto the delivery end 18 of the compaction tube 14, there to be held by the pivoted spring fingers 28, while-the outer end 24 is tied by a wire to close it off. As theslugs of compacted refuse are forced into the plastic tube 20 by the ram, the plastic tube fills up and extends-its full length, the alternate sealed folds remaining intact, as seen in FIG. 2. However, while every other unsealed fold extends and is filled with the compacted refuse because the alternate folds 32 are sealed at their bases and they extend in the direction of the inner end 26 ofthe plastic tube, the plastic tube fills and unfolds smoothly, the folds 32 remaining attached to the main body portions of the tube by the seals 44. I

The end 26 which remained on the delivery end or nozzle 26 of the compaction tube is then removed and closed off bya suitable wire 46. Thereafter, at each of the adjacent sections 34 and 36, a pull is exerted, in the order of magnitude of 5-10 pounds, which breaks the seals44, as shown at 48, to unfold the fold 32, as seen in FIG. 5. The portion 38 is then tied by a wire 50 and the adjacent portion 40 by a wire 52 and the area between the ties 50 and S2 is then cut. Repeating this procedure for the full length of the plastic tube 20 will produce a plurality of plastic containers 54, see FIG. 7, filled with slugs of compacted solid waste or trash and tied at their ends as at 56 and 58.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the same folded construction as that heretofore described is used except that a circumferentially extending perforated or weakened area or line 60 is provided in either the portion 38 or 40 of the fold 32 adjacent the web 42 so that when the seals 44 are broken, as shown at 48, the perforated or weakened area 60 will extend between the broken seals, and when the ends 38 and 40 are tied, as previously described with reference to FIG. 6, the adjacent tied units can then be pulled apart at the perforated or weakened area, rather than cut.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 10, the ad jacent main body sections 34 and 36 are each separated by the same fold 32 previously described which consists of inner and outer portions 38 and 40 joined by a web 42. However, the bases of the portions 28 and 40 of the alternate folds or every other fold are not heat sealed. Rather, every other fold. is retained in an unfolding position during the filling of the tube with compacted slugs of refuse by adhesive means, preferably tapes 62 each having a pressure sensitive adhesive surface which engages the outer'surface of one section 34, bridges the web portion 42 of the fold and engages the outer surface of the outer fold portion 40, there being preferably four such tapes spaced about apart.

While any plastic may be used to make the tube of the instant invention, a preferred plastic is polybutyicm which has a high tensile strength, high dart drop Y strength, high tear strength and exceptional resistance to environmental stress cracking Also, while the preferred embodiment herein is the one in which the bases of the alternate folds'32 are heat sealed or bonded at circumferentially spaced areas, the bases of thesefolds can also be separably secured by a suitable cement or adhesive for the plastic from which the tube is made.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have here been shown and described, it will be understood that minor variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. I

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a refuse compaction machine and adapted to be mounted as a cartridge on the delivery end of a hollow cylindrical compaction member; a plastic tube having elongated sections and external folds connecting adjacent sections and extending in the same direction towards one end of said tube, each fold including an outer portion continuous with one section of said tube, an inner portion adjacent vto the outer portion of an adjacent section and continuous therewith and a web connecting said inner and outer fold portions, and bonding means separably connecting said inner and outer portions of alternate or every other fold to each other so that said tube is compressible to a relatively short overall length but when said tube is filled with compacted refuse, every other unsealed fold unfolds but the sealed folds remain intact so that a longitudinal force can then be exerted to separate said bonding means and said sealed folds can be thereby also extended, gathered, tied and severed between theties to form separate small filled container units.

2. The plastic tube of claim 1 wherein said separable bonding means of said alternate folds includes heat seals at the base of said inner and outer portions oppo-v site said web.

3. The plastic tube of claim 1 and a weakened circumferentially extending area in either the inner or outer portion of an alternate fold adjacent its web.

4. The plastic tube of claim 1 wherein said separable bonding means of said alternate folds includes adhesive seals at the base of said inner and outer portions opposite said web.

5. For use with a refuse compaction machine and adapted to be mounted as a cartridge on the delivery end of a hollow cyclindrical compaction member; a plastic tube having elongated sections and external folds connecting adjacent sections and extending in the same direction towards one end of said tube, each fold including an outer portion continuous with one section of said tube, an inner portion adjacent to the outer portion of an adjacent section and continuous therewith and a web connecting said inner and outer fold portions, and separable adhesive means retaining the webs of alternate or every other fold against the outer portions of adjacent sections so that said alternate adhered folds remain intact when the plastic tube is filled with compacted refuse while the folds without adhesive means unfold, and then a pull can be exertedon the plastic tube to sever the adhesive means whereby the folds are extended and then gathered, tied and severed hesive strips engaging one section, bridging the web of between the ties to form separate small filled container Said alternate fold and engaging the Outer portion of units.

6. The plastic tube of claim 5 wherein said separable the adJacem Section adhesive means includes circumferentially spaced ad- 5 

1. For use with a refuse compaction machine and adapted to be mounted as a cartridge on the delivery end of a hollow cylindrical compaction member; a plastic tube having elongated sections and external folds connecting adjacent sections and extending in the same direction towards one end of said tube, each fold including an outer portion continuous with one section of said tube, an inner portion adjacent to the outer portion of an adjacent section and continuous therewith and a web connecting said inner and outer fold portions, and bonding means separably connecting said inner and outer portions of alternate or every other fold to each other so that said tube is compressible to a relatively short overall length but when said tube is filled with compacted refuse, every other unsealed fold unfolds but the sealed folds remain intact so that a longitudinal force can then be exerted to separate said bonding means and said sealed folds can be thereby also extended, gathered, tied and severed between the ties to form separate small filled container units.
 2. The plastic tube of claim 1 wherein said separable bonding means of said alternate folds includes heat seals at the base of said inner and outer portions opposite said web.
 3. The plastic tube of claim 1 and a weakened circumferentially extending area in either the inner or outer portion of an alternate fold adjacent its web.
 4. The plastic tube of claim 1 wherein said separable bonding means of said alternate folds includes adhesive seals at the base of said inner and outer portions opposite said web.
 5. For use with a refuse compaction machine and adapted to be mounted as a cartridge on the delivery end of a hollow cyclindrical compaction member; a plastic tube having elongated sections and external folds connecting adjacent sections and extending in the same direction towards one end of said tube, each fold including an outer portion continuous with one section of said tube, an inner portion adjacent to the outer portion of an adjacent section and continuous therewith and a web connecting said inner and outer fold portions, and separable adhesive means retaining the webs of alternate or every other fold against the outer portions of adjacent sections so that said alternate adhered folds remain intact when the plastic tube is filled with compacted refuse while the folds without adhesive means unfold, and then a pull can be exerted on the plastic tube to sever the adhesive means whereby the folds are extended and then gathered, tied and severed between the ties to form separate small filled container units.
 6. The plastic tube of claim 5 wherein said separable adhesive means includes circumferentially spaced adhesive strips engaging one section, bridging the web of said alternate fold and engaging the outer portion of the adjacent section. 